Lexus RX 300 Viscous Clutch/coupling Failure?

2 messages, Last post on Jul 24, 2008 at 8:39 AM

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#1 of 2 Viscous Clutch/coupling Failure...?? by wwest Jul 21, 2008 (9:22 am)
My 2001 AWD RX300 currently has slightly more than 75,000 miles. I wanted to look into the possibility of towing it "wheels down" behind our MH since there is an aftermarket product that allows a quick release of the drive shaft to the rear and one front halfshaft. So yesterday I removed the most rear drive shaft section to test and see if such a solution might work. The interesting result was that with the rear drive uncoupled the RX would not move forward at all. I assume this means the VC has now failed. Has anyone gone through the process of having the VC "canister" replaced and if so how did you discover it had failed...?? Replies to this message: wwest (Jul 24, 2008 8:39 am)
#2 of 2 Re: Viscous Clutch/coupling Failure...?? [wwest] by wwest Jul 24, 2008 (8:39 am)
Replying to: wwest (Jul 21, 2008 9:22 am) Dealer says $1300 just for the part... Cheaper to have the center diff'l spider gear welded into RWD mode, a LOT cheaper. And probably safer to boot. Safer, certainly, than the current default, no VC, FWD mode.